Warriors wrestling get ready for divisionals in Superior

Arlee wrestling coach Ken Hill is focusing on his team’s technique as they prepare to enter the Class B-C Divisional Wrestling Tournament Saturday at Superior High School.

“Mostly at this point of the season, our kids are in shape and we just concentrate on going back through all of their techniques,” Hill said. “We drilled them for an hour to remind the kids to remember those things that they’ve done all year when we go back through them.”

The Warriors’ senior leader George Shick (182) looks to be one of the more formidable wrestlers in a loaded talent pool that will feature defending state champion Garrett Graves, Florence’s Spencer Jones and Mission-Charlo’s Gus Bosley.

Shick’s only two losses this season were to Graves and Jones as he tries to overhaul this talent-rich pool to qualify for a state wrestling bid Feb 9-10 in Billings at MetraPark.

“We hope he does well in Divisionals and possibly at State,” Hill said. “The two wrestlers that beat him are the only guys that are ranked ahead of him in the state.”

The Warriors also have some other wrestlers gunning for hardware. Jace Sampsel, at the 103-pound weight class, is a sophomore who Hill said is “doing very well.” Two other Arlee freshmen that Hill said will also be in contention for medals include Colt Crawford (132) and Demetriz Austin (152), who combined to win nearly 70 percent of their matches this year.

Another wrestler at the 152-pound weight class Hill expects to make an impact is Skylar Titsworth.

“I just want the kids to wrestle good and get as many kids as possible down there to see the big show (at state),” Hill said. “Once we get (to state), we want to try to place as many kids as possible.”